Tuesday, February 26, 2008

The Sophia Carry-All

Maybe some of you have worked on a project with this tiny gnawing feeling in your tummy that something is not going to work out, and that you really should do it the way YOU think is the right way, but you don't. Then you finish, and you look at it and think: "I wish I had "insert solution here". See, back when I made my Weekender Bag, I also fell for its little companion in this photo. There was no pattern for it yet, and I wasn't feeling the need to just figure it out on my own. A year and a half later, the pattern for the Sophia Carry-All becomes available and I'm super excited. It's the bag! I've got some gorgeous vintage linen in my stash, lining too and I'm hitting JoAnn's to get the interfacing. Here's my first problem. Both JoAnn's and another fabric store I check have Thermolam Plus, but it's not fusible (like the pattern says). The product called fusible fleece is not fleecy at all, it's more like a very thin version of Timtex. I ended up using the non-fusible Thermolam, only to find out later that there are two types of this stuff. 970 is what I'm using, 971F is what I should be using. But the whole time this little thought is gnawing away, saying, you really should be using Timtex (that heavy stuff that makes my Weekender Bag looking so sturdy and neat), because really, I want that crisp bowling-ball bag look from the picture, not the squishy smooshy look of the bag that is staring at me from the pattern envelope. But of course I'm so wrapped up in sewing, I'm not listening. But I wish I had. So here's the bag,

and before you say that it's fine, here's a better picture to illustrate the smoosh:

Not at all what I wanted, and I just have myself to thank for that. I just have to put it away right now, because I'm not in love. Unlike my Messenger Bag, which, despite its lack of cuteness, loves me right back by being so sturdy and useful. Or maybe I just need to get rid of the initial expectation, and accept it for what it is, and not what I wanted it to be (man, I think all those self-help books are finally paying off!)

Pattern: Sophia Carry-All by Amy ButlerFabric: vintage midweight decorator's linen from my stash. It was a bit smaller than the suggested yardage, but I've found that if you use your own pattern arrangement, you can often get away with getting less yardage. The lining came from some scraps of silk wool. I cut the fabric for the piping on the half bias to save some more fabric, it worked just fine. Sewing this took almost as long as the weekender, the piping on the bottom part is difficult to handle.Mods: I used a regular zipper instead of a purse zipper (which I couldn't find anywhere and didn't feel like ordering.

33 comments:

I know the feeling when something doesn't turn out like it does in your head. You just can't love it the way you wanted to. It happens to me way too often! But, for what it's worth, it really does look great.

it still looks okay to me! in fact, if I were able to produce even that, I'd be very very proud of myself! I see nothing wrong with it, in fact I adore it. Especially the fabric is what makes it too cute!

I'm wondering if you could add more interior panels (with more interfacing underneath) and then handsewing them into the seams....I know it sound like a lot of work, but if you're not sure you're going to use it....

Oh my goodness, this happens to me all the time with my knitting--I get a niggling little feeling in the back of my mind that I shouldn't be proceeding as I am and should do something different instead; I don't follow my instincts; and I end up ripping out a lot of stitches. Ugh. If only my mistakes turned out as nicely as your Sophia bag! It might be plagued with the smoosh, but it still looks beautiful. I love the green fabric!

I've been there, too. And of course everyone says it's great, beautiful, etc. This really is pretty though! I love the green fabric. I would just be sure to stuff a cardigan or scarf in there on cool days to fill it out, and then it's still carrying something useful!

:( bummer. i hate it when i don't listen to my gut and then end up with something i don't like. it is really cute fabric though! maybe you can use it when you really won't mind the squishiness like on a trip when you can stuff a bunch of things in it?

this is beautiful. you did a great job, and i love your fabric.I made this bag too, and I hear you on the squishyness of it. It is especially bad when it is over the shoulder. sigh. I had trouble with the piping around the bottom too. i thought it was really hard to get it to look nice.I think next time I am just going to go for it with the heavy weight stabelizer....if i make it again.

I think your bag looks beautiful (and I remember seeing your first one in a post and thinking wow!). If you can make it to a place (or call them)called The Sewing Workshop on Balboa St., they may have some specialty sewing supplies that the chains don't usually get. I think you just gave me the inspiration to try this one. Terry

I *can* see why you think that, but there are lots of people who would love the bag precisely for its squooshiness, more unusual in a bowling-ball shaped bag. Either way, it is lovely. I hope you learn to like it!

It still looks great! My advice is that if you like but don't love it is to sell it and make yourself another making the changes you wish you had done. The bag would surely fine a happy owner. Just a thought...

Thanks for the birthday wishes xI'm hankering after your modified messanger bag, it's exactly what I need, that additional width is ideal for me for all the reasons you already mentioned (except I still can't afford an ipod). Plus I love the shot of it being worn, it looks great with the coat!

Hi Steph, I just happened on some old pictures of yours and I was wondering if you perhaps remember where you go the patterns? Your Victorian5 wine colored sweater is awesome! I'm in love with it, but I have never seen that pattern. Do you remember where you got it? If you do, please let me know!!Thanks so much! Melaniethe_black_seaweed@hotmail.com

The bag looks good! I made one. I took the pattern with me to JoAnns and looked for exactly what the pattern listed (I think it even had the number for the fusible fleece, but maybe not) It turned out well. I made one for my niece out of home dec fabrics and it is really crisp looking. Mine was a Nigella fabric from Amy Butler. It's not as crisp, but still looks really good.